Garrison Rippa has become a Weekday CUSA legend.
Last week against Kennesaw State, the redshirt junior kicker sunk a go-ahead 33-yard field goal with 52 seconds remaining to allow Jacksonville State to prevail in a CUSA Championship Game rematch. Once again, Rippa was called to the stage to deliver the closing duties, and he delivered. He nailed a 26-yard field goal with 44 seconds remaining, leading Jax State to a 27-24 Tuesday night victory over FIU.
It marked Rippa’s sixth career game-winner in the final minute or overtime, and his fifth in the past two seasons. Rippa’s first collegiate game involved clutch heroics at the 2023 New Orleans Bowl — Jax State’s first-ever bowl win — and he continues to decide games with his toe.
With Rippa being on the roster the entire way, Jax State is now 19-3 at home since joining the FBS in 2023.
FIU didn’t enjoy the same kicking fortune Tuesday night. The Panthers used those final 44 seconds to drive to the Jax State 32-yard line, where quarterback JJ Kohl nearly completed a deep touchdown strike on the penultimate play, but cornerback JQ Brooks made a heads-up play to break up the pass in the end zone. FIU sent out kicker Robert Czeremcha, who connected on 5-of-5 field goals six days prior against New Mexico State.
It was a rushed operation, as FIU didn’t have its full kicking unit on the field. Guard Antonio Tripp Jr. sprinted on, and the Panthers snapped the ball as soon as he got set. Czeremcha had the distance for the 49-yarder, but the kick sailed right of the upright, preserving a Jax State victory in a battle of potential CUSA contenders.
Entering the game, FIU hadn’t surrendered more than 20 points all year. The Panthers’ vaunted defense went 11-straight quarters without allowing a touchdown, but Jax State’s offense found early success against the elite group. The Gamecocks notched 14 first quarter points and didn’t punt until their fifth drive of the game. Before Tuesday, the most points FIU allowed all season in a first half was 10. Jax State managed 17.
FIU also scored 17 in the opening half. The Panthers found success on deep shots from JJ Kohl to Maguire Anderson, who finished with eight receptions, 133 yards, and two touchdowns. A scrambling Kohl threaded the needle to Anderson through double coverage for a 50-yard first quarter score before firing a 30-yarder to the trusty receiver late in the second quarter.
The Panthers tied the game at 7-7, 17-17, and 24-24 but never claimed a lead Tuesday night. They almost had one in the early fourth quarter, as Elisha Baldridge appeared to strip the ball from Jax State quarterback Caden Creel, while Creel was attempting a pass. The aware Wesley Miller scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a go-ahead touchdown. However, the replay review determined Creel’s arm was going forward and ruled it an incomplete pass.
Jax State didn’t score on that possession but it landed the game-winner on the ensuing drive. Creel led the troops 82 yards down the field in 10 plays, finishing with another Rippa clutch field goal. It was a strong showing from Creel, who produced 214 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and 95 rushing yards in a winning effort. His 6’8” wide receiver Deondre Johnson excelled too, snagging four receptions for 93 yards, including a spectacular touchdown grab in the first quarter.
FIU (3-3, 1-1 CUSA) falls to .500 overall and in CUSA play after the last-minute road loss in Jacksonville. The Gamecocks’ 27 points were the most the Panthers have surrendered all year, and FIU will hope its commanding defense puts it back on track next Tuesday when it hosts Middle Tennessee.
Jacksonville State (5-2, 3-0 CUSA) now rides a four-game win streak after a slow start. The Gamecocks are 23-4 in regular season CUSA games all-time, as they continue the chase to host their third-straight CUSA Championship Game. All four of their FBS wins were by 10 points or fewer, and the Gamecocks aim to sustain those clutch heroics, should they be needed, when they return to action Oct. 28 at New Mexico State.